Thinkbox
Harris has played a pivotal role in shaping a multi-disciplinary team at Havas London, working across iconic brands such as Durex, E45, Lemsip, Finish, AirWick, Vanish and Gaviscon. With multiple Grand Prix wins, D&AD Pencils and an impressive career that spans agencies such as Anomaly, Fallon, MullenLowe, Work Club, Brothers & Sisters and Y&R, Harris is widely recognised as one of the top creative talents in the UK advertising scene.
Outside of work, Harris dedicates his time to nurturing the next generation of talent, serving as a trustee at the London School of Communication Arts and mentoring young creatives at Havas London. He was also part of the Thinkboxes-winning team for 'Vanish: Me, My Autism and I'.
Harris’s picks
Virgin Atlantic: When your life flashes before your eyes
Virgin Atlantic debuted its Economy Class on TV with a high-energy ad celebrating the excitement of travel. Created by Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe, the ad features a man narrowly avoiding death as a falling cherub hurtles towards him, while the Grim Reaper lingers nearby.
As the man’s life flashes before his eyes, the Grim Reaper casually bides his time – eating, reading and eventually dozing off – giving the man a chance to escape his fate. Though a few scenes are set aboard Virgin aircraft, the ad focuses on the adventurous spirit of travel, positioning it as a life-enriching experience rather than a simple product plug.
- Agency: Rainey Kelly Campbell and Roalfe
- Creative team: Richard Beesening and Andy Blood
- Client: Virgin Atlantic
- Production company: Paul Weiland Film Company
- Director: Frank Budgen
Umbro: Goalposts
Fallon aimed to return to the essence of football with its campaign for sports brand Umbro, illustrating how any object can serve as a goalpost in a spontaneous game. Accompanied by Minnie Riperton's “Loving You”, the ad combines catchy music with striking visuals to stand out amid the wave of football-related advertising expected during the 2002 World Cup.
- Agency: Fallon London
- Creative team: Richard Flintham, Andy McLeod
- Client: Umbro
- Production company: HLA
- Director: John Hardwick
Mercedes-Benz: Lucky Star
For this campaign, Mercedes-Benz created a trailer for an upcoming movie. The carmaker released a trailer for a new thriller titled “Lucky Star”, featuring Benicio del Toro and directed by Michael Mann. The trailer followed a master gambler named Mr. H, who bet big and won at casinos and the stock market, attracting the attention of shady government agents.
The catch was that “Lucky Star” wasn’t a real film. Led by agency Campbell Doyle Dye, Mercedes hired Hollywood talent to promote its vehicles with Del Toro driving a silver 500 SL convertible.
- Agency: Campbell Doyle Dye
- Client: Mercedes-Benz
- Director: Michael Mann
